Device for compressing shocks of corn



(N0M0de1.)' a W. 0. GREGORY.

m DEVICE FOR GOMPRESSING SHOGKS 0P GORN. Np. 365,742. Patented June 28, 1887.-

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAM C. GREGORY, OF NEIV ANTIO OH, OHIO.

DEVICE FOR COMPRESSING SHOCKS OF CORN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,742, dated June 28, 1887.

Application filed January 24, 1887. Serial No. 5125.326. {No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM G. GREGORY,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of- New Antioch, in the county of Clinton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Compress iug Shocks of Corn; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, and which is a perspective View of my improved shock-comprcssorin the position occupied whenin operation, the shock being indicated by dotted or broken lines.

Heretoforc it has been customary to compress shocks of corn or other grain by means of devices consisting, essentially, of a spindle adaptedto be thrust into the shock, a plate through which the spindle passes, and which lies against the outside of the shock, and a cord attached at one end to the plate and at the other end to the spindle, which cord is passed around the shock and compresses the same as one end thereof is wound upon the spindle by the rotation thereof by means of crank-handle or otherwise; but when such devices have been employed there has been a tendency, owing to the compressing-string being drawn only from one side, to twist the shock and draw it out of a vertical position. This I have overcome by attaching the cord so that it shall be drawn equally from both sides when the spindle is rotated, passing it freely over or through the plate.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, in which a perspective view is given, A represents the spindle, which is tapering at one end to adapt it to be easily thrust into the shock, and is at the opposite end provided with a crank'handle, B, whereby it may be rotated.

G is a plate adapted to lie upon the outside of the shock, and perforated centrally to permit the spindle to pass freely through it.

The binding cord, rope, or chain is indicated by F. It is fastened at one end to an eye or staple, G, inserted into the spindle near the handle, and passed thence through a hole, D, in the plate 0, around the shock through a notch, E, in the side of the plate opposite hole I), whence it passes to an eye or staple, H, on the side of the handle opposite to eye G, to which it is hooked or otherwise secured.

It will be noticed that both ends of the cord F are secnred,so that as the spindle is rotated both ends of the cord will be wrapped around it, and thus a uniform tension will be exerted upon all parts of the cord and the shock con sequently compressed without there being any tendency from such compression to distort the shock. After the proper degree of tension has been obtained it is desirable that there be some device for holding the spindle against rotation, so as to preserve the tension while the permanent binder is being applied. This I secure by means of a rod or wire, I, having a hooked end, and swiveledto the outer end of the handle. This rod is of such length that when not in use it may lie alongside of the handle B, and have its hooked end catch over the spindle, where it will be held against displacement until the shock has been compressed and it is desired to prevent rotation of the spindle. Then the rod I is swung out, as indicated in dotted lines, and its hooked end made to engage with the straws or stalks of the shock. This will hold the spindle against rotation and the shock under compression until the permanent binder is secured, when my device will be removed and applied to another shock.

"W hat I claim is In a shock-compressor, the combination of a centrally-perforated plate having a hole in one end and a notch in the other, a spindle passing freely therethrough, a handle attached to the spindle, a compressing-cord, one end being permanently connected to the spindle and the other end adapted to be detachably connected to the handle, a hooked rod, I, swiveled to the handle and adapted to be folded against the handle when not in use and to engage with the material of the shock when thrown out, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM G. GREGORY.

Witnesses:

P. O. RULON, R. O. LAWHEAD. 

